Hochul: New Trump tariffs on Canada are 'insanity'
Gov. Kathy Hochul called President Donald Trump's hostility toward Canada "unprecedented." Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday called President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on Canadian goods "insanity."
The Democratic governor said Trump’s bid to slap a 50% tax on Canadian goods, which kicked in on Saturday, is hurting New York farmers, truckers and "small towns and businesses who are really taking it on the chin."
"Why are we at war with our largest trading partner?" Hochul said at a State Capitol news conference, noting New York alone has a $40 billion trade relationship and a border of over 430 miles with Canada.
"They help fill our stadiums and arenas. They come to our cultural [events]. They spend money on our ski resorts. They shop in our downtowns in the summer," Hochul said. "This hostility toward Canada is unprecedented."
"This is just another unnecessary war," Hochul said, referring to Trump starting a war with Iran.
In the past week, Trump has escalated his attack on Canada by invoking a Depression-era law to allow him to slap a 50% tariff on a wide variety of goods, from hockey sticks and honey to wine and cement.
It is expected to hit more than 500 Canadian products, worth some $20 billion in goods.
Further, Trump has threatened more — 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles, steel and automobile parts. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has accused Trump of trying to subordinate Canada and ruin its major industries. Carney promised retaliatory tariffs and countermeasures.
A White House statement Tuesday attacked Canada for steps including a tariff on U.S. automobiles, referring to Canada as "difficult and unreasonable."
Trump’s actions, beginning last year, have impacted Canadian travel and spending in New York.
Newsday recently reported Canadian tourism in New York plummeted by 25% in 2025. And Canadian visitors' spending declined 28%, from $1.71 billion in 2024 to $1.23 billion in 2025.
The declines disproportionately impact border communities and vacation regions that rely heavily on those visitors, according to the state’s economic development agency.
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